courtesy of Family Features

Freshen up your favorite family recipes by adding new ingredients like pecans, with natural richness and subtle sweetness coupled with irresistible crunch. Kitchen staples are being used to add twists to traditional dishes, so finding an item you can use to mix up classic family recipes is key. Pecans pack flavor, texture and nutrition all in one bite, and they have a long shelf life. Shelled pecans can be kept in airtight containers in the refrigerator for about nine months and for up to two years in sealed plastic bags in the freezer. Discover more nutritious recipes at AmericanPecan.com.

Pecan Chicken Meatballs

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Yield: 9 meatballs

• 1          pound ground chicken
• 1/4       cup spinach, chopped
• 1          tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1          egg
• 1          teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4       teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4       teaspoon paprika
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1/4       teaspoon pepper
• 1/4       teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1          cup finely chopped fresh pecan pieces, divided

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In large bowl, mix ground chicken, spinach, lemon juice, egg, garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne (if desired) and 1/2 cup pecans until well combined.
3. Roll chicken mixture into 1 tablespoon- sized meatballs.
4. Place reserved pecans in bowl. Roll meatballs in pecans to coat then place on prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake 20-30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
6. Serve warm with sauces for dipping or over pasta.

Chinese Chicken Salad with Pecans

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

Dressing:

• 1/4       cup pecan butter
• 1          tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1          tablespoon honey
• 1          teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 1/2    teaspoons soy sauce
• 2          tablespoons warm water, plus additional as needed (optional)

Salad:

• 4          ounces dried thin rice noodles
• cold water
• 4          cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 4          cups chopped iceberg lettuce
• 1/4       cup toasted and chopped pecans
• 2          scallions, finely chopped
• 1          cup bean sprouts
• 1/2       cup crispy wontons
• 1          cup mandarin oranges
• 2          tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2          cups rotisserie chicken breast, chopped

1. To make dressing: In medium bowl, whisk pecan butter, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil and soy sauce until smooth.
2. Add 2 tablespoons warm water and whisk until incorporated. Add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if desired, until dressing reaches pourable consistency.
3. To make salad: Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and transfer to bowl with cold water to keep from sticking.
4. In large bowl, toss romaine and iceberg lettuces, pecans, scallions, bean sprouts, crispy wontons, mandarin oranges and sesame seeds.
5. Divide salad among four plates; top each with 1/2 cup chicken and serve with dressing.

Pecan Banana Bread

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Servings: 8

• 10        ounces gluten-free baking flour mix
• 1          teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2       teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2       teaspoon sea salt
• 2          flax eggs
• 1          cup organic brown or coconut sugar
• 1/2       cup coconut oil
• 1/2       vanilla bean
• 1/2       cup vegan yogurt
• 3/4       cup mashed bananas, ripe
• 1          cup raw pecan pieces, chopped, plus additional for topping

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Prepare 9-by-5-inch banana bread pan.
2. In medium bowl, sift flour mix, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt; whisk to combine.
3. In mixer bowl, mix eggs, sugar and coconut oil 2 minutes on medium-low speed.
4. Scrape vanilla bean and add to mixture. Add vegan yogurt and mashed bananas; mix 2 minutes on medium-low speed.
5. Remove bowl from mixer and fold 1 cup raw pecan pieces into batter until evenly distributed.
6. Add batter to banana bread pan and use spatula to smooth down top. Sprinkle additional pecan pieces on top.
7. Bake banana bread on top rack 60 minutes until toothpick comes out with few crumbs but not completely clean.
8. Remove from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes in pan. Hold sides of pan and flip onto wire rack.
9. Allow bread to cool completely. Slice as desired.

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This article appeared in the May 2020 edition of Women’s LifeStyle Magazine. Click here to read the full edition.